"Dragon Breath" A UAB Dynasty (NCAA12)

[gorillapittpray]

Wednesday March 12th 2014
BLAZER WEEKLY

UAB SET TO BEGIN SPRING BALL

BIRMINGHAM, AL - As fourth-year UAB head football coach Travis Rhatigan and his Blazer's embark upon 2014 spring practice, which begins on Monday (March 17) on campus and runs 15 days through the April 19 Spring Football Game, they understand hard work and patience is needed to build and keep the program at a high level. The first steps have came and gone as UAB appeared in three straight bowl games as well as two National Championship defeats.

In 2014, Rhatigan now has some added depth and can get good evaluations during spring ball this year.
Adam Dyks will return as the teams starter but it's said transfer Luke Willis who only has one year of eligibility will push him for the starting job.
In the back field Matthew Scott is back Senior Cody Gore looks to share carries if he can have a good looking spring.
The receiving battle will be one to watch, Matt Ford is a lock at the X position, but Travis Jackson, Vince Jaackson, Bill Cooley and true freshmen Travis Barnes who enrolled in January will be competing for playing time. The right side of the defensive line took a hit with the departures of Brandon Richardson and Kareem Kirby Phillip Mason and Doug Taylor will compete to fill the void at defensive end, It's said that Joe Little may be the starter when he arrives on campus this fall so those two players will need to have a big time Spring. Freshmen John Rhoden enrolled in January and will look to add help at defensive tackle along side Markus Leak, Junior Kevin Seals will compete for the job as well.
The secondary is where the majority of the competition will come from this spring. Perhabs the most experienced group on the team Senior Vince Jones and Junior Adam Love will start with the first team, but expect Nelson, Jones and McFarland to all rotate with the ones. Rhodes and Mills will battle at Strong Safety.


"As you can see it will be a very competitive spring, no one's job is safe and I let all the guys no that during winter weights and conditioning. Its gonna be a very fun spring for this program."
Stated Travis Rhatigan

[gorillapittpray]

Saturday April 22nd, 2013
BLAZER WEEKLY

DEFENSE WINS SPRING GAME

OFFENSE HAS IT MOMENTS BUT DEFENSE DOMINATES ANNUAL SPRING GAME

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Tailback Matthew Scott ran for a pair of short touchdowns and quarterback Adam Dyks threw for 2 scores but it was the defense that dominated during UAB's spring intrasquad football scrimmage on a hot Saturday (April 22) morning at Blazer park (Practice field).
With the disappointments of BCS losses coach Rhatigan vowed his players will only stay on the practice field for the scrimmage rather than Legion Field, thus starting the first annual Lawn Chair scrimmage that turned out close to 20,000 fans.
Scott, who ran for 51 yards on 14 carries, scored on a 5-yard run on the scrimmage's 80th and final play.
UAB's other 4 touchdowns came during goal line drills in the opening portion of the scrimmage. Morgan had a 2-yard scoring run during those goal line drills, as did tailback Cody Gore, who gained 49 yards on 13 carries overall.
Dyks completed 17-of-28 passes for 154 yards. He threw a pair of TDs to wide receiver's Vincent Jackson (30 yards) and Matt Ford (25 yards) in the situational portion of the scrimmage. Jackson had 8 receptions for 71 yards overall.
Wide receivers Travis Jackson (43 yards) and Dan Sims (29 yards) each grabbed 3 receptions.
Quarterback Luke Willis hit 4-of-5 passes for 48 yards, with an interception.
Linebackers Cortez Means and Timi McCollum each had 6 tackles, while linebacker while strong safety Dominique Rhodes had the interception.
The Trojan offense was penalized 7 times, mainly for motion and illegal shift penalties.
"The defense dominated today," said fourth-year UAB head coach Travis Rhatigan. "They played with a great mentality. I'm very pleased with the way the defense played, especially the front 7. The offense did not perform well. With the exception of a few plays they just didnt."


The Blazer's open their 2014 season at home against rival Troy on Aug. 30.

[gorillapittpray]

Saturday Aug, 2nd 2014
BLAZER WEEKLY

BLAZER'S REPORT TO CAMP

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Head coach Travis Rhatigan and his staff welcomed 70 players to campus on Saturday as the UAB football team reported for the starting of preseason workouts. After a day of orientation, physicals, meetings, and fitting for equipment, UAB will practice for the first time on Sunday morning when the veterans take the field for a shorts and helmets workout. The freshmen class, along with a selected number of veterans, will practice on Sunday afternoon.
The Blazers will hold two days of split squad workouts before coming together as an entire team for the first time on Tueday morning.
"Today is a great day to be a coach and it's a great day to be a player," Rhatigan told members of the media shortly after the final player reported on Saturday. "I can't tell you how excited I am to be away from all those things that I've been doing for the last six to eight weeks. The many administrative tasks that coaches do that don't involve football; I am now pointed north and south at football. I am excited about it and I know the team is.
"There will be anxiety in every newcomer and veteran. Because of 'how hot it is, how much are we going to run, how good are we going to be, can I return the punt, can I make the tackle and can I preform to be the starter'. That happens. It happens routinely at this time of year. It's fun as you assume your pursuit of the game you love."
Rhatigan said that the Tigers will use the first two days of training camp to focus on teaching the players and that means going at a slower pace.
"We are going to make sure that the young players get an introduction to our style of football and give them a chance to get up to speed before we put on the pads in a few days," Rhatigan said. "The first two days are going to involve a lot of teaching and we will go very slow with them. We'll pick up the pace once we get to our shells (helmets and shoulder pads)."
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[gorillapittpray]

Monday Aug, 4th 2014

SEC MEDIA DAYS:
COACHES FEEL TIDE WILL ROLL THIS UP-COMING SEASON

_________________________
ASSOCIATED PRESS______

ATLANTA, GA - Its that time of year again where 900 some odd reporters descend down on media day and get the insights on the teams considered to be in the best conference in football. Fourteen coaches and 42 players wallked around the Georgia Dome conference hall answering quaestions about this up coming season. First the fourteen coaches all cast votes for the preseason poll and Alabama Unanimously was voted No.1. Here are the SEC pre season team rankings:

SEC WEST:

1. ALABAMA
2. LSU
3. MISSISSIPPI STATE
4. AUBURN
5. OLE MISS
6. ARKANSAS
7. TEXAS A&M

SEC EAST:

1. GEORGIA
2. TENNESSEE
3. UAB
4. FLORIDA
5. SOUTH CAROLINA
6. VANDERBILT
7. KENTUCKY

Next up was a vote for Offensive and defensive player of the year followed by Pre season All conference selections. Ironically the coaches had UAB ranked 6th overall in the pre-season poll but chose offensive and defensive player of the year from the Blazers. Quarterback Adam Dyks and Middle Linebacker Timi McCollum were given the honor.

[gorillapittpray]

Wed, Aug 13th 2014
BLAZER WEEKLY

BLAZER 2014 PREVIEW

SCHEDULE:
vs TROY 6:00
@ #22 OHIO STATE 3:30
BYE
@ ARKANSAS 12:30
vs OLE MISS 6:00
vs #15 AUBURN 3:30
BYE
vs SOUTH CAROLINA 3:30
vs KENTUCKY 12:30
vs UL MONROE 12:00
@ #9 GEORGIA 6:00
@ TENNESSEE 3:30
vs FLORIDA 3:30
@ VANDERBILT 8:00
BYE

The Blazers come into the season not ranked and have a lot to prove after a disappointing performance in last years national championship game. It's hard to believe a team that made it to the show starts the next season un-ranked especially with as many returning starters. They were picked 3rd in the SEC East and 6th overall.

QUARTERBACKS:

(DYKS LOOKS FOR A OPEN RECEIVER DURING PRACTICE THIS WEEK)

Sophomore Adam Dyks will get the nod to take the realms this season. He was pre-season Offensive player of the year for the SEC this season so expectations are high. Last season Dyks threw for 3,534 yards and 35 touchdowns but counter good numbers with a high interception count at 20. With a year under his belt and a successful spring and fall camp Dyks may get UAB back to the promise. Head coach Travis Rhatigan has let it be known however that his leash will be short now that transfer Luke Willis is eligible. Willis only has one year of eligibility but has been in the Blazers system for a year now and will be ready to step in. At 6'2 217 the big bodied quarterback not only has a cannon for a arm but he can hurt you with his legs.

RUNNING BACKS:
Matthew Scott comes in as a pre-season Heisman candidate and perhaps could have won it his sophomore or junior year but late season injuries stalled him from that prise as well as being effective in their last two bowl games. Scott is one of the most prolific runners in school history, his 3,597 yards and 43 touchdowns have him a top the all time list. If Scott can remain healthy the Blazers will definitely have a great shot at the SEC crown again. With freshmen Ellis Fox and Lawrence Long red shirted for the year, senior Cody Gore and red shirt freshmen Luke Sullivan will have the duties of backing up Mathew Scott. Both backs possess power and Gore has shown that extra gear at practice, Rhatigan has said he would like to take some of the load off of Scott if Gore and Sullivan look to be able to handle those carries so far in fall camp they do.

RECEIVERS:

(VINCE JACKSON EMERGED IN THE BCS TITLE GAME LAST SEASON, HE NOW HOPES TO HAVE A MORE PERMANENT ROLE THIS SEASON)

This unit is as good a unit in the country. Matt Ford returns for his Junior season catching 26 passes for 744 yards. A back injury caused him to miss the final three games last season but so far in camp he looks good. Speed Burners Travis Jackson and Vince Jackson (93) will help Ford stretch the field while Dan Sims and Bill Cooley provide excellent targets as possession receivers. Coach Rhatigan has said he expects a lot out of this group and feels they can carry this team. "When you have a proven quarterback along with a great running game, that makes the job easy for this receivers, I expect them to make some big time plays for us."

DEFENSIVE LINE:
All American Tom Cox comes back for his senior season after recording 8.5 sacks a year ago. He'll be along side defensive tackle Marcus Leak who also is a pre season All American his 9.5 sacks led the defensive line last year. With that said the left side of the line is fine, but the departures of Richardson andKirby left a huge void on the right side. Defensive end Phillip Mason had a great spring and looks real good so far in fall camp as coach Rhatigan has him running more and more with the ones. Freshmen Joe Little will back him up. Freshmen John Rhoden beat out Junior Kevin Seals for the right side defensive tackle spot and is getting a grasp of what this staff wants him to do. The defensive line is a big thin but but they look to be in good shape as the camp comes along.

LINEBACKER:

(#8 CORTEZ MEANS WILL HELP THIS LINEBACKING CORE OUT TREMENDOUSLY)

If their was a position of concern it would be the Linebacking unit. Timi McCollum has earned his stripes and is already on the Butkus watch list, but the other players are still trying to catch up. Rashad Barnes was a all conference selection but injuries during spring has slowed his progress, never the less he still won the starting job at ROLB. Everybody is anxious to see what transfer Cortez Means is gonna do. Means was a big hitting machine during spring ball and looks to have gained a step this fall, he and Timi McCollum may cause some damage. The concern comes with the lack of depth at this position if someone goes down they're left with freshmen's Bryan Ramsey and Terry Jackson to fill the void, although promising athletes they lack the experience needed to play linebacker in the SEC.

SECONDARY:
Like the receivers the defensive backs may be the most experienced group on the team. ESPN ranked the Blazers secondary as No.1 best in the country. The Blazers return junior Adam Love, who has 10 career interceptions and 25 pass break up, along with Love are sophomores Harvey Nelson, Darrell Jones and Anthony McFarland, senior Vince Jones was cleared by the NCAA to play and is in his final year of eligibility. Not to mention RS- Freshmen Davin Alston and Darron Franklin. If something major was to happen they have current red shirts Timothy Rhodes, Matt Gatewood, and Carl Harvey.
Back at Safety both All Americans Carl Holycross and Dominique Rhodes return to guide this defense. Rhodes recorded 89 tackles and four sacks from the safety position and provides great support in the run game while Holycross roams the middle. Jason Mills backs up Rhodes, the senior has had a great fall camp and Rhatigan was stated to have said Mills will be packaged in the defense a lot this season.

BLAZERS RED-SHIRT 14
Of the 22 signed recruits, 14 of them got word they would red shirt for the season. As Head coach Travis Rhatigan continues to put his stamp on this program, he seems to be looking a bit long term.
"I brought each kid in individually and let them know what our plans were for them." Rhatigan said. "All of them competed and competed well, you have to remember we played a lot of under classmen last year as well. As they got another year under their belt they understand what it takes to compete in the SEC. The red shirts now have a chance to sit back learn as well as train and get better. We're gonna be a good team for some time to come if all these young men buy into our scheme."
The red shirts include:
Derrick Harris SS
Corey Dawson FS
Korey Rodgers FS
Carl Harvey CB
Timothy Rhodes CB
Jonathon Barnes DT
William Joseph DE

Jonathon Smiley OL
Martin Gold OL
Jason Gross OL
Travis Barnes WR
Don Goodman WR
Josh Burley FB
Lawrence Long RB
Ellis Fox RB

[gorillapittpray]

Monday Aug, 25th 2014

TOP HEADLINES:

• Not in our house: Bama brings in a 23 home game winning streak
• Ducks unanimous No. 1, are they for real?
• Dyks, A preseason All American looks to get UAB back to the top
• Iowa's Mark Davis feels his Hawkeye's are still team to beat
• Top of the Class: SEC/BIG 12 all over the top 10
• Longhorns ranked #24, first season without Mack Brown
• Stoops and the Sooners are thinking championship, sit at #2
• SEC leads the nation in number of Pre season All Americans

TOP 25:

1. OREGON
2. OKLAHOMA
3. ALABAMA
4. IOWA
5. BOSTON COLLEGE
6. OKLAHOMA STATE
7. LSU
8. TCU
9. GEORGIA
10. ILLINIOS
11. WISCONSIN
12. VIRGINIA TECH
13. BOISE STATE
14. MISSISSIPPI STATE
15. AUBURN
16. NOTRE DAME
17. MIAMI
18. MARYLAND
19. STANFORD
20. NORTH CAROLINA
21. GEORGIA TECH
22. OHIO STATE
23. MICHIGAN STATE
24. TEXAS
25. UTAH

THE EARLY FAVORITES:
OREGON- the Ducks have been the team to beat Since the conclusion of their Rose Bowl drubbing of Maryland. Caleb Gibbs will be one to watch on the ducks this season, the speed demon (99) at receiver looks to replace Dewayne Brittain and by some accounts may be better. Quarterback Adam Burns has never started a NCAA game, but with all the speed around him and a defense who returns seven starters, all he has to do is manage this talent and the Ducks should be heading to Glendale.


OKLAHOMA- One aspect in Norman has become abundantly clear...just like in the glorious dynasty days of old, head coach Bob Stoops is discovering that depth kills. There has not been an OU team this deep since the 2000's. Recruiting has been super kind and is the prime reason why the 2014 expectations are so high from most every preseason poll out there. The only unit that is a major concern is the qb position and whether the injury bug will hit them. Senior Chris Neal will be tabbed the starter, he missed the whole season last year with a separated shoulder. Luckily back up Johnson led the Sooners to a Fiesta Bowls win. If Neal can stay healthy he has quite a few receivers to throw the ball to. Ray, Rowe and Pearson will lead this no huddle spread attack not to mention returning running back Dennis Brown who was close to 1,000 yards last season. Defensive End Kenton Powell leads a deep defensive line, the Junior knows how to ap[ply pressure racking in 7 sacks last season, a experienced secondary may have the Sooners in Glendale.


ALABAMA- Perusing this depth chart makes it quite plain to see that Alabama has an overwhelming abundance of talent, much of it still young and inexperienced, some of it not. The main issues facing this upcoming campaign will be mostly offensive. While the quarterback competition between Dallas Ryan and freshme RS Jim White will dominate most of the front-page headlines other position battles are just as critical. Gavin Childress and Tony Corbett will either be in a two back system or one will take over, both are big and fast (96). Saban brings in another tough defense led by thier backing core and hard hitting safeties, key dates include a trip to #9 Georgia and #15 Auburn and home games vs #7 LSU and #14 Mississippi State. Brutal schedule but with talent this Bama team looks to get through this.


IOWA- Well one things certain the Hawkeye's are the defnding champs, but the reigning Heisman isn't returning. Sophomore quarterback Mark Davis is coming off a natural high winning the National title as a freshmen. The Hawkeye's return a lot of players who have played not necessarily started, but his top three receivers have all played and scored touchdowns, the question is will Luke Rhodes or Shaun Moore step up and replace Jose Ashley. Defensively Iowa's linebackers lead this group, a young defensive may hurt, key games will be the final four games when they head on a murderous row type stretch, @Michigan, @#23 Mich State, @ #10 Illini and @ #11 Wisconsin.

TOP GAMES TO WATCH WK1
Troy @ UAB
UAB looks to rebound from all the negative talk of last years national championship loss. They return all the peices from a year ago and look to improve. Despite a 10 win season Troy fired their coach, this will also be the first time in four seasons that Trojans wont have quarterback Mike Moore under the helm. Good story lines to start off a great season of football.


Southern Miss @ #14 Mississippi State
This is a huge game for Mississippi State who starts over on offense but is led by a strong defense and linebacker Ben Richardson. This defense will have to set the tone early against a good Southern Miss team. Southern Miss has the skill and the coaching staff to play the Bulldogs tough its a matter of over coming the opening day crowd.





Game of the Week
Cal @ #13 Boise State
If their was ever a chance to end Boise's 9 game home winning streak, this would be the time. Boise will be with a new starting quarterback in Sophomore Peter Hairston who will be taking his first ever snaps in a collegiate game. It helps to have Brandon Simmons (882 rush yrds) But like him all the starting receivers will see their first action in a game. For Cal Junior quarterback went through his growing pains last year throwing 23 interceptions. This Cal team seems poised with star tailback and All Pac 12 running back Tim Mason (1203 yards) looks to have a big day against the Broncos. The nation will be watching

[gorillapittpray]

Aug, 27th Weds 2014

GAME WEEK
BLAZERS TAKE ON BITTER RIVAL TROY
AT LEGION FIELD

Matchup Preview | August 30, 2014
	@
Troy Trojans (0-0, Away)		UAB Blazers (0-0, Home)

Head Coach Travis Rhatigan Speaks about upcoming game vs Troy:
"I can tell you that I have been looking forward for this day. It marks the beginning of game week. It allows a football coach, staff and team to focus on the task at hand. I felt like we had a very good camp. It was a very physical camp. One in which there was some conditioning. I think our guys are looking forward to playing another team. That being said, I think all of us are looking forward to football. This team is looking forward to playing in front of our home crowd, we know its gonna be a huge crowd. They're looking forward to playing a marquee team in college football in Troy who have put together a few 10 win season's since I been here.
"Our opponent is a 10 win team and a runner up to the big east champs Notre Dame (last year). They promoted their offensive coordinator Jonathon Gray and from what I know they will bring in a air raid type of attack much like we seen a few years back.

We put our faith and confidence into Adam Dyks who will be a sophomore this year and we feel very confident in our skill position guys. But we're so so excited about our defense this year, they had a year to grow, a off season to grow and and now its time to see if they're ready to step it up and help us become one of the elite programs.


THINGS TO WATCH ON TROY:

• How will Troy and their new quarterback Ben Wall react to a hostile environment
• Tailback John Heinz maybe the fastest player on the field, how will Troy utilize him in their pass attack
• Out of the five receivers listed on the depth chart they only have a combined six catches
• DE Eric Day is the leader of this defense, its key for him to get his motor going

THINGS TO WATCH ON UAB:

• Will UAB open the playbook up for Dyks
• Matthew Scott has had big games against Troy, expect another
• Matt Ford is the only experienced receiver returning will Dyks force him the ball or spread it around
• With much talk about the defense expect the secondary to make a lot of plays today
• #8 Cortez Means is as good as advertised at LB, Will UAB turn him lose

The Blazers haven't lost a home game under coach Rhatigan yet. Its opening weekend and Blazers have a lot to prove, a well experienced defense (B+) and speedy set of playmakers on offense (B-) should allow for UAB to run away with this one at home.

[Kcordloh]

Loving the non-AQ nature of your conference layout, should be really good.